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Dec. 28, 1954 G. w. VON HOFE ETAL LABEL APPLYING uacrmmsu Original FiledDec. 26, 1946 2 Sheets-Shae! 1 INVENTORS 6502 GE Mvow/fars BY Mus/7.NEFZGER WITNESS HTTOR/VEYS United States Patent Ofiiice LABEL APPLYINGMECHANISM George W. von Hofe, Bound Brook, and Hans A.

Nelzger, Hackeusack, N. Machine Corporation, of New Jersey Original No.2,525,504, dated October 10, 1950, Serial No. 718,484, December 26,1946. Application for reissue May 29, 1952, Serial No. 290,844

36 Claims. (Cl. 216.55)

Hoboken, N. 1., a corporation The invention relates to labeling machinesand more particularly to the mechanisms in such machines for adhesivelyapplying the labels to the articles for which they are intended. i

The principal object of theinvention is to provide a novelmechanismadapted to wrap labels in an efficient manner about the articles so asto envelope the latter to a predetermined extent.

The invention contemplates further the provision of a novel mechanismwhereby the labels are applied circumferentially aboutarticles to whollyenvelope the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanismwhereby the labels are applied circumferentially of articles of smalldimensions, as exemplified by conventional ampules, to envelope thesame.

Other objects of the invention, as well as the advantageous features ofconstruction of the mechanism, will be apparent from the followingdescription when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional J.,assignorsto New Jersey label 30 picked up from the Fig. l is a frontelevational view of a labeling machine view, looking to the left of Fig.l of the belt mechanism contained in the machine; Fig. 3 is a sideelevational view, partly in section, looking toward the right of Fig. l,and Fig. 4 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the V suctionhead for the labels.

The labeling machine, as such, may be of any well known type such as themachine described and illustrated in the Von Hofe Patent No. 2,227,816issued January 7, 1941. In order that the construction and operation ofthe mechanismillustrated in the drawings may be more readily understood,it is deemed advisable to first point out generally, that in a machinesuch as shown in the said Von Hofe patent, there is provided a transfermeans in the form of suction head which successively removes labels fromthe top of a supply stack and carries them to the label applying stationof the machine. During the travel of the suction head from the supplystack to the labelapplying station, a coating of adhesive may be appliedto the under surface of the label. At the label applying station, thesuction head is lowered to apply the label carried thereby to thearticle, the suction in the head being so controlled, that when thelabel is deposited on the article, such suction is relieved. As thesuction head is withdrawn to pick up another ,label, a pressure memberis brought into engagement with the label deposited on the article tocomplete the adhesive application of such label to the article.

Turning now to the drawings, it may be first pointed out generally, thatthe frame 10 of the machine may be of a construction similar to theframe disclosed in the Von Hofe Patent No. 2,227,816, and that thesuction head 11 and pressure device 12 may be supported and controlledby instrumentalities similar to those disclosed in said patent toaccomplish the same cycle of operations performed by the suction headand pressure member, respectively, in the machine disclosed in suchpatent.

in accordance with the present invention, the suction head 11 includes amouthpiece or plate 13 supported by a holder 14, which is mounted on thecarriage frame 15 to pivot or turn about an axis 16 (note Figs. 1 and4). The pivotal movement of the holder 14 is limited in the shown)provided in reciprocated in such guideway in properly timed relation 2downward direction by an offset projecting portion 17 provided thereonand having a valve face 18 adapted to seat upon a valve face 19 formedon an inwardly projecting portion 20 of the carriage.' The pivotalmovement of the holder 14 is limited in the opposite or upward directionby a set screw 21 which is adjustably mounted on a bracket member 22,over the offset portion 17. The set screw 21 is locked in its adjustedposition by a lock nut. Mounted on the set screw 21 intermediate thebracket member 22 and offset portion 17 is a compression spring 23 whichnormally maintains the valve faces 18 and 19 in engagement. Thus, theprojecting portions 17 and 20, form what might be termed a clapper valvewhich is normally maintained closed by the spring 23. The portion 20 isprovided with an interior passageway 24 which extends from its valveface 19 to a nozzle 25 and is in communication with a vacuum pump orother means for developing suction therein through a flexible tube 26.The portion 17 is provided with an interior passageway 27 which extendsfrom its valve face 18 to a chamber 28 formed in the holder 14. Alsocommunicating with the chamber 28 are a series of openings 29 providedin the mouthpiece 13 st;( as to be closed by a.

stat:

It will be understood from the foregoing that in the normal operation ofthe machine, the clapper valve composed of the portions 17 and 20 willbe closed and that labels will be removed from the stack by the suctionhead, carried to the label applying station and deposited upon thearticle (bottle the Von Hofe Patent No. 2,227,816. However, should thebottle 31 receiving the label 30 be of slightly larger diameter than thebottle diameter for which the machine has been adjusted, the mouthpiece13 would be stopped in its downward movement prior to the completion ofthe adjusted downward stroke of the suction head 11.

This would cause the mouthpiece 13 to pivot about its axis 16 againstthe tension of spring 23, while the head 11 completed its downwardstroke and as a result, would cause the disengagement of the valve faces18 and 19, thus breaking the vacuum in passageway 27, chamber 28 andopenings 29. With the vacuum thus broken, the label 30 which is inadhesive contact with the bottle 31 along a longitudinal line of thelatter, would remain on the bottle as the suction head 11 is returned toits raised position. When in the return stroke of the head 11, themouthpiece 13 is lifted from the bottle 31, the spring 23 will againbring together the valve faces 18 and 19 of the clapper valve, thusagain completing the vacuum circuit to the channels 29 and enabling thehead 11 to pick up another label from the label stack. This constructiontherefore enables the machine to apply labels to bottles whose diametersvary from the predetermined setting without any danger of breakage whichwould ordinarily occur, if the metal mouthpiece 13 were fixed to thesuction head. The variance in any known set of bottles may be taken careof by adjustment of the set screw 21.

It will be observed from Fig. 1 of the drawings, that the bottle 31rests on a seat provided on the outer end of one of four similarlyconstructed supporting members 32 forming part of a rotatable turretdesignated generally by the numeral 33, It will also be observed thatthe label 29 has a width approximately equal to the circumference of thebottle 31 and that at the label applying station of the turret (stationE), the label will be applied by the head 11 to the bottle so that theline of adhesive contact will be nearer one edge of the label than theother. The purpose of so applying the label to the bottle,

one complete end portion of the label to the bottle without moving thelatter, the label applying operation being completed at the next stationof the turret (station C).

From Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that the pressure device12-includes a block 34, carried by a plunger 35, vertically slidable ina guideway (not the upper portion of the frame and with the otherelements of the machine in the manner described in the Von Hofe PatentNo. 2,227,816. Extending downwardly and outwardly from the sides of theblock 34 are two bracket members 36, 36, which pivot- Reissue-d Dec. 28,1954 31) in the manner described in Figs." l and 2 of the drawings.

ally support intermediate their ends two lever members The upper ends ofthe lever members 37, 37 are adjustable screws 40, 40 provided on thesame, abovev their pivotal connection with the bracket members 36, 36,and the stops 41, 41 provided on the block 34. As a result of thisconstruction, the shoes 39, 39 normally are slightly spaced from eachother and together definehan T. us,

are which has a greater radius than the bottle 3]. when such shoes 39are brought into engagement with the ampule or bottle 31, on thedownward stroke of the pressure device 12, their first contact with thebottle will be at their inner opposed ends. As the device 12 continuesits downward movement, the bottle 31 will cause such shoes to be movedinwardlyand upwardly against the pressure of spring 38, thereby reducingthe are defined by such shoes and causing the latter to secure to thesurface of the bottle, the area of the label which they overlie. Thelabel engaging surfaces of the shoes 39, 39 are preferably made ofrubber so that the entire area of the label covered by such shoes willbe securely adhered to the surface of the bottle. As has been pre-.viously mentioned, the label when applied by the suction head 11 to thebottle is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the latter.This otfset is sufficient to enable the left hand shoe 39 to completelysecure the left hand end of the label, as viewed in Fig. l of thedrawings, to the bottle, leaving the right hand end of such label, asviewed in such figure, free and unconnected to the bottle (note thebottle and label at station C of the turret).

In the next step-by-step movement of the turret, the. bottle 31 with itspartially adhered label 30 will be carried to station C where the labelwill be completely Wrapped around the bottle and the thus labeled bottlefed to a stationary discharge chute 45. The apparatus for accomplishingthese operations include a horizontal table 46 provided on its uppersurface with a layer 47 of rubber or other suitable material andyieldingly mounted on a plate 48 by means of the bolts and springassemblies designated generally by the numerals 49, 49 in The plate 48is mounted on a bracket 50 adjustably secured to the vertically disposedupper arm of a lever 51 mounted intermediate its ends for pivotalmovement about the axis of a shaft 52. The lower end of lever 51 isconnected by an adjustablelink 53 to the lower end of a link 54 mountedat its upper end for pivotal movement about the axis of a supportingmember 55 secured to the frame of the machine. Mounted on the link 54intermediate its ends, is a cam roller 56 which bears against the outersurface of acam 57 under the influence of'a spring 58 connected at oneend to a post provided on the adjustable link 53 adjacent to theconnection of such link with link 54, and connected at its other end toa fixed post provided on the base of the machine adjacent to the lowerend of link 51. The cam 57 is so formed that the cam roller 56 will beforced outwardly against the tension of spring 58 just prior to the nextstep-by-step movement of the turret 33 to cause lever 51 to be rotatedin a counter-clockwise rotation as viewed in Fig.1 of the drawings,through links 53 and 54, to tilt table 46 to the dotted line positionshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In this position of table 46, the entryend thereof will be shifted slightly from under a bottle carried tostation C of the turret 33 while the discharge end thereof will belowered to a position overlying the entry end of the chute 45. The cam57 will maintain the table 46 tilted during the movement of turret 33and after such movement has been completed, will permit the return ofthe table to its normal horizontal position under the influence ofspring 58. Cam 57 is mounted on the main drive shaft 104 of the machinewhich is driven in any suitable manner from a continuously running motor(not shown).

Also adjustably mounted on the upper arm of lever 51 is a standard 59having a horizontally disposed upper portion which is enlarged in atransverse direction to provide a supporting base 60 for the conveyorparts now to be described. Mounted on the base 60 are a pair ofoppositely disposed brackets 61, 62 which serve as bearing supports forthe shafts of the driven roll 63 and-the idler roll 64, respectively.The rolls 63 and 64 carry an endless belt or conveyor 65 madeof rubberor any other suitable material. intermediate the rolls 63 and 64, issupported by a flanged guide plate 66 which is mounted on a bracket 61secured to the upper end of the standard 59; The lower portion of thebelt 65, intermediate the rolls63 and 64, moves along a guideway formedbythe flanged plate 68 which lfiSflSCCUICd to depending projectionsformed on the base porting end of bracket 67 is a spacer 69 whichrigidifies the conveyor structure and maintains thespaced parallelrelation of the guide plates 66 and 68.

It will be understood from the previous description with relation totable 46, that when the cam 57 mounted on drive shaft 104 causes theupper end of lever 51 to be tilted, the above described conveyormechanism together with standard 59 will be tilted as a unit with table46, to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Duringthe rotational movement of the turret'33, the table 46 and conveyor 65will be maintazned by thecam 57 in tilted position. 33 comes to rest,the conveyor 65 and table 46 will be returned as a unit to their normalspaced horizontal positions. The belt 65 is continuously driven duringthe operation of the machine by mechanism which includes a sprocketwheel 70 secured to the shaft to which is fixed the roll 63. Thesprocket 70 supports the upper end of a chain 71 which at its lower endis in engagement with a sprocket wheel 72 driven by the motor 73. Thechain 71 is of such length as not to interfere with the tiltingmovements of the conveyor unit and it is maintained, in driving relationwith the sprockets 70 and 72 during such movements of the conveyor unitby a pair of idler sprocket wheels 74 and 75 which engage with theintermediate portions thereof. The sprocket wheels 74 and 75 are mountedon the ends of two arms of a lever 76 which is pivotally mounted on astub shaft 77 carried by the upper end of a standard 78 secured to theframe of the machine. A third arm of the lever 76 is connected to theupper end of a vertically disposed spring 79 whose lower end isconnected to a post provided on the standard 78. The tension of spring79 maintains the idler sprocket wheels 74 and 75 biased against thentermediate portions of chain 71 to prevent any slack m such portionsduring the movements of the conveyor unit.

It is believed to be clear from the foregoing, that the belt 65 iscontinuously driven by the motor 73 during the operation of the machineand that the lower portion of such belt during its movement ismaintained in predetermined, spaced, parallel relation to the table 46by the flanged guide plate 68. During the dwell periods of the turret33, the table 46 and belt 65 are positioned horizontally with theirentry ends underlying and over-' dotted line position shown In Fig. 1 ofthe drawings.

With the table 46 andbelt 65 so tilted, the turret is enabled to movefreely a holder 32 with a bottle 31 thereon,

from station B to station C. At the end of such movement of the turret,the table 46 and belt 65 are moved back to their horizontal positionswhere the entry ends thereof will engage diametrically opposed surfaceportions of the bottle brought into position at station C. The table 46and belt 65 are preferably so adjusted on the machine that when theentry ends of their horizontal portions engage with the bottle, as shownin Fig. l of the drawings, they will exert on the bottle a clamping orfrictional grip suificient to overcome the suction exerted on the bottlethrough its associated holder 32. The direction of movement of theunderside of the belt 65 is to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, and away from the holder 32 so that when the bottle is removedfrom its associated holder 32, it is caused'to roll toward that thebottle will be in position on the table 46 to be discharged to the chute45 when the table and belt are next tilted, or the speed of belt 65 maybe such that The upper portion of the belt 65,

intermediate the base 60 and the guide plate sup- When the turretthebottle will not be discharged from table 46 until the turret 33 hascompleted a plurality of steps.

The turret 33 is given its step-by-step movements through reductiongearing composed of a gear'80 secured to the hub 81 of such turret (noteFig. 3), and an enlarged gear 82 mounted for rotational movement onshaft 83. Affixed to gear 82 is a ratchet wheel 84 whose teeth areengaged by a pawl 85 pivotally mounted on the upper end of thevertically disposed adjustable link 86 and maintained in engagement withthe ratchet wheel 84 by a spring 87. The link 86 is connected at itsupper end to the outer end of a link 88 rotatably mounted on the shaft83 and is connected at its lower end to an arm 89 of a bell crank levermounted for rotational movement on a shaft 91 carried by a bearingsupport mounted on the frame of the machine. The arm 89 of such leveralso carries a cam roller 90 which engages with the peripheral surfaceof a cam 95 mounted on the drive shaft 104. The roller 90 is maintainedin engagement with cam 95 by a spring 93 which is connected to arm 92 ofsaid bell crank lever and to a post provided on a bracket 94 secured tothe frame of the machine. The cam 95 is so formed that the turret 33,through gears 80, 82, sprocket wheel 84, pawl 85, link 86 and leverarm89, will be rotated through 90" during a portion of each revolution ofsuch cam .95, and then caused to dwell through the remainder of eachrevolution of the cam 95. During the periods of dwell of the turret 33,the later is locked in position by means of a latching member 96provided on the upper endof a link 97 and adapted to engage with one offour recesses provided on a latch wheel 98. The wheel 98 is secured togear 80 and hub 81 of the turret 33 and the four recesses thereof arealigned with the four bottle holders 32 provided on such turret, so thatafter each quarter revolution of turret 33, one of such recesses will bepositioned at station D, in position to receive the latching member 96.The lower end of the adjustable link 97 is connected to arm 99 of apivoted bell crank lever whose other arm 100 carries a cam roller 101which'engages the peripheral surface of a small earn 102 mounted on thedrive shaft 104. The cam roller 101 is maintained in engagement with,the cam surface of the cam 102 by means of a spring 103 which is securedat its lower end to arm 99 of such lever and is connected at its upperend to a post secured to the main frame of the machine. It will be notedthat the cam 102 is so formed and positioned with relation to the cam 95that cam 102 through the above described mechanism, causes the latchingmember 96 to move into engagement with a recesson the latch wheel 98during the period of dwell of the turret 33 and causes the withdrawal ofsuch member 96 from the latch wheel 98 during the rotational movement ofthe turret 33.

The bottles to be labeled are fed'to the turret 33 at station A by achute 105 whose discharge end is so positioned with relation to thebottle holder members 32 of such turret that when a member is positionedat station A of the turret, a bottle 31 will roll into engagement withthe seating surface of such member 32. During the period of dwell of theturret 33, the bottles in the chute 105 are free to move toward theholder 32 positioned at station A of the turret. However, prior to themovement of the turret 33, a stop member 106 is inserted between thebottle seated on the holder member 32 and the next succeeding bottle toprevent movement of the bottles not seated on the holder during therotative movement of the turret 33 and until such turret again comes torest with a succeeding holder 32 at the discharge end of chute 105. Themeans for so controlling the move ment of the stop member 106 includes alever 107 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a bracket 108secured to the'frame of the machine and one arm of which carries thestop member 106; The other arm of lever 107 is connected to the upperend of a vertically disposed link 109 which is connected at its lowerend to an arm 110 of a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on a bracket111 secured to the frame. The other arm 112 of such bell crank levercarries a cam roller 113 and one end of a spring 114 which is secured atits other end to a post secured to the frame and which maintains the camroller 113 in engagement with the peripheral cam surface of a cam 115mounted on the driving shaft 104. The cam 115 is formed to operate themechanism connecting such cam with the stop member 106 to accomplish theabove described movements of such stop member 106.

As can be seen more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the supportingmembers 32 are each provided with a plurality of air channels 117 whichextend from the seating surface of such member to a chamber 118 formedin the head of such member. The chamber 118 of such member while atstations A, B and C and during the travel of such member from station Ato station C is'in communication with a semi-annularly shaped chamber119' formed between the shaft member 119 and the hub 81 of the turret33. The chamber 119' is connected through passageways in the member 119and by a hose 120 to a suction motor 121 adapted to provide at theseating surfaces of the member 32, a suction suflicient to hold thebottles delivered at station A to such seats while the turret rotatesfrom station A to stations B and C, but not strong enough to prevent thetable 46 and belt 65 from removing such bottles from the holders whenthey arrive at station C. Inasmuch as the chamber 119 does not extendbetween stations C and A, the members 32 will be sealed ofi from thevacuum system while they are travelingfrom stations C to D and D to A,so that though they are not carrying bottles during such portions oftheir travel, there will be no loss of vacuum.

While it is believed that a clear understanding of the operation of theseveral mechanisms described, will have been obtained from theforegoing, it is believed advisable to further point out that in theoperation of the machine, the step-by-step movements of the turret willsuccessively bring each of the four holders 32 to stations A, B, C and Dwhere the operations hereinabove described will be performed during theperiods of dwell of the turret 33. Thus, during each period of dwell, abottle will be fed to the holder positioned at station A, a label willbe delivered by the-suction head 11 to the bottle positioned at stationB and partially afiixed thereto by the pressure device 12, and thebottle with its partially secured label delivered at station C will beremoved by the table 46 and belt 65 which will wrap and secure theentire label to the bottle while advancing the latter to the "dischargechute 45. At station D during the period of dwell of the turret 33, thelatching member 96 will engage with a recess in the latching wheel 98 tolock the turret 33 in its position of rest. "Prior to the next movementof the turret 33, the latching member 96 will be withdrawn from itslocking engagement with the latching wheel 98 and the stop member 106will move up between the end bottle seated on the holding member 32 andthe next succeeding bottle to prevent discharge of the bottles fromchute while the turret 33 is in movement.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while we havehereinabove described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of ourinvention, various changes and modifications'may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:

1. ha labeling machine, the combination of an article supportlng meansfor sustaining an article thereon and including means for maintainingthe article sustained in an at rest position on said supporting means,means for.

partially securing [a] an adhesive label to an article [carried]sustained by said supporting means and held in an at rest positionthereon by said maintaining means, and means for removingthe articlefrom said supporting means against the tendency of said maintainingmeans to hold it in sustained position thereon and for completing theattachment of the label to the article after the article has beenremoved from said supporting means, said removing and attachingoperations being accomplished by the same means.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination of an article supportingmeans, means for depositing a label on .an article carried by saidsupporting means, means for partially securing the label to the articlecarried by said supporting means, and means for removing the articlewith its partially secured label from said supporting means, said lastmentioned means being constructed to complete the attachment of thelabel to the article soon after the removal thereof from said supportingmeans.

[3. In a labeling machine, the combination of an article supportingmeans, -means for depositing a label on an article carried by saidsupporting means and for partially securing the label to the articledischarge means for removing the article with its partially securedlabel from said supporting means, said discharge means being constructedto complete the attachment of the label to the'article while carryingthe latter from said supporting means to a point of discharge] 4. In alabeling machine, the combination of supporting means provided with anarticle supporting seat, means whereby suction is made effective at saidseat for maintaining articles in place thereon, means for depositing andsecuring a label to an'article on said seat, andgripping means forremoving the article with the label attached thereto from said seatagainst the force of the applied suction and for carrying the article toa point of discharge. l l 5. In a labeling machine, the combination ofsupporting means provided with a sea'tfor [accommodating] sustaining anarticle to be labeled, means associated with said seat for maintainingthe article sustained in an at rest position relative to said seat,means for depositing [a] an adhesive label on an article sustained in anat rest position on said seat by said retaining means, means [carried bysaid supporting means and] for partially securing the label to thearticle sustained on said seat by a pressing action, and means [forcompleting] contactable with the article having the partially securedlabel on said seat and operable to positively remove the article fromsaid seat and to complete the attachment of the label to the article,while carrying the latter from said supporting means to a point ofdischarge.

6. In a labeling machine, the combination-of supporting means providedwith a seat for sustaining [accommodating] a rounded article to belabeled, means associated with said seat for maintaining the articlesustained in an at rest position relative to said seat, means forsecuring one endof a label to an article sustained in an at restposition on said seat by said maintaining [carried by said supporting]means leaving the other end of the label free, and means for removingthe article with the label secured thereto from its seated relation onsaid seal against the tendency of said maintaining means to maintain thearticle in seated condition and for completing .the attachment of thelabel to the article while rollingthe latter from saidsupporting meansto a point of discharge.

7. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for securing a label to an article carried by said supportingmeans, and means for removing the article from said supporting meansincluding a pair of elongated members arranged in spaced parallelrelation and at least one of which is movable in the direction of itslength away from said supporting means, and means for moving saidmembers as a unit to bring one end thereof into engagement with twoopposed surfaces of an article positioned on said supporting means. 1

' 8. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for securing alabel to an'article carried by said supportingmeans, and means for removing the article from said supporting meansincluding an elongated support, a movable belt arranged in spacedparallel relation .to said support, and means for moving said supportand belt as a unit to bring one end thereof into engagement with twoopposed surfaces of an article positioned on said supporting means. I

9. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for securing a label to an article carried by said supportingmeans, means for moving said supporting means from the label applyingposition to a place of discharge, and means at said discharge positionfor removing the article from said supporting means and includinganelongated support, an endless belt arranged in spaced parallelrelation to said support, and means for removing said support and beltas a unit toward said supporting means to bring one end thereof intoengagement with the opposite sides of an article positioned on' saidsupporting means.

l0. The combination defined in claim 9 in which said elongated supportis a table having the surface opposed to said endless belt provided withfrictional material and in which said last mentioned means includes apivoted lever, means for connecting said table and belt to said lever,and cam operated means operably connected to said lever to cause thelatter to move said table and belt toward and away-from saidsupporting.'

means.

11. The combination defined in claim 9 in which said operativelyconnected to said lever to cause the latterto move said table andsupport toward and away from said supporting means.

l2. The combination defined in claim 9, including a fixed motor, a chainsprocket connected to said motor, a chain sprocket connected to saidendless belt, an endless chain mounted on said sprockets and having alength substantially greater than the distance between said sprockets,idler sprockets engaging said chain intermediate said first and secondmentioned sprockets, movable means supporting said idler sprockets, andyieldable means connected to said movable means for maintaining saididler sprockets in engagement with said chain.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for depositing a label on an article carried by said supportingmeans and including a movable carriage, a suction label carrying headpivotally mounted on said carriage, a suction connection leading to saidsuction head and a valve in said connec tion controlled by said head,and means for removing the article from said supporting means.

.14. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting meansfor depositing a label on an article carried by said supporting meansand including a movable carriage, a suction head having a label carryingsurface, means mounting said head on said carriage for movement from anormal position under pressure applied to the label carrying surfacethereof, a member on said carriage having a passageway connected with asource of suction, a valve intermediate said member and saidsuction headfor controlling communication therebetween, said valve being controlledby said movable suction head, and means for removing the labeled articlefrom said supporting means.

15. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for depositing a label on an article carried by said supportingmeans and including a movable carriage, a suction head having a labelcarrying surface, means pivotally supporting said head on said carriagefor movement from a normal position under pressure applied to the labelcarrying surface thereof, a member on said carriage having a valve seatand a passageway connecting said valve seat with a source of suction, avalve member carried by the face end of said suction head and seated onsaid valve seat and a passageway in said valve member connecting saidsuction head with the passageway in said member when said valve memberis seated on said valve seat.

16. The combination defined in claim 15 including a stop memberadjustably mounted. on said carriage for controlling the range ofmovement of said valve member and suction head, and means normallybiasing said suction head to its normal position in which said valvemember is seated.

17. In a labeling machine, the combination of article supporting means,means for depositing a label on an article carried by said supportingmeans, pressure means for developing applying pressure on a depositedlabel and including a block, a pair of pressure memberspivotallysupported on said block, yieldable means normally maintaining saidmembers in spaced relation and adjustable means for varying the normalspaced relation of said members.

18. The combination defined in claim 17, in which said members havearcuately shaped shoes surfaced with rubber and together normally definean arc of a greater radius than the radius of the article to which thelabel is to be applied and are adapted to contract with a wiping actionwhen applying pressure on a deposited label.

19. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotatable turret havinga plurality of article holders,.means for feeding articles to saidholders, means for depositing ried by said holders, pressure means forpartially securing the labels to the articles and means for frictionallyengaging the partially labeled articles to remove them from the turretand to complete the securing of the labels thereto.

21, In a labeling machine, ,the combination of a rotatable turret havinga plurality of article holders, means for feeding articles to saidholders comprising guiding means having a discharge end adjacent to thepath of travel of said holders, a stop member insertable into the pathof feed of the articles at a point spaced from the path of travel of theholders a distance substantially equal to the transverse dimension of anarticle and means for actuating said stop member in timed relation tothe rotative movements of said turret.

22. in a labeling machine, the combination of of a rotatable turret, aplurality of article holders on said turret each having an article seat,means for applying suction at said seats, means for feeding articles tosaid holders, means for applying labels to the articles carried by saidholders and means for frictionally engaging the labeled articles toremove them from the turret against the pull of the applied suction.

23. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotatable turret, aplurality of article holders on said turret. means to rotate said turretto move said holders front station to station, means at one end of saidstations for feeding articles to said holders, means at another of saidstations to apply labels to the articles carried by said holders, meansat a third station to remove the articles with the labels appliedthereto from said holders and means for locking said turret during itsperiods of dwell.

24. The combination defined in claim 23. in which said last mentionedmeans comprises a latch wheel secured to said turret for rotationalmovement therewith. a latch member engageable in locking relation withsaid latch wheel at a plurality of predetermined positions thereof, andmeans for actuating said latch member in timed relation to the periodsof dwell of said turret.

25. in a labeling machine, means for attaching an edge portion of anadhesively coated label to an article at a predetermined station of themachine, article carrying means for bringing the article into operativerelation with the label attaching means at said predetermined stationand for carrying the article from such station to a succeeding stationof the machine with the attached portion of the label in a leadingposition with relation to the direction of travel of the article andwith the unattached portion thereof in a trailing position with relationto such direction of travel, and means located at such succeedingstation of the machine for completing the application of the label tothe article while removing the article from said carrying means, saidlast mentioned means including a pressure member and means for rollingthe article against said pressure member.

[26. in a labeling machine, means for attaching an edge portion of anadhesively coated label tothe article while the latter is held in astationary position, and means for completing the attachment of thelabel while the article is moved about one of its axes] 27. In alabeling machine. conveying means for srlsmining an article in itstravel to a label applying stalion and including means for maintainingthe article seated in an ill rest condition rclative to said conveyorduring such travel, means for causing said conveyor to come to rest whenthe article: is delivered to said label applying station, means at thelabel applying station for adhesively attaching a portion of anadhesively coated label to an article sustained by said conveyor in onat rest nvsilion during a pause in the movement of said conveyor, andmeans for positively removing the article from flu scored condition inwhich it is sustained on the conveyor by mid retaining means and formoving the article about one of its axes and at the same time completingthe application of the label.

28. In a labeling machine. means for attaching a portion of anadhesively coated label to an article at rest. means for moving saidarticle inan at rest condition with the unattached portion of the labelin trailing posisaid other portion of the machine for completingtheapplication of the label while moving the article about one of itsaxes.

' 29. In a labeling machine, conveying means for sustaining an articlein its travel to a label applying station and includingmeans formaintaining the article seated in an at rest condition relative to saidconveyor means during such travel, means for causing said conveyor meansto come to rest when an article is delivered to said label applyingstation, means at the label applying station for adhesively attaching aportion of an adhesively coated label to an article sustained by saidconveying means in an at rest position during a pause in the movement ofsaid conveying means, and labeling means, including relatively movablepressure means, for positively removing the article from the seatedcondition in which it is retained on the conveying means by saidmaintaining means and for completing the application of the label to thearticle while imparting motion to the atter.

30. In a labeling machine, means for carrying an article while at restthereon to a plurality of labeling means, labeling means for applying tosuch article, while in an at rest position on said carrying means, aportion of an adhesively coated label so that the attached portion ofsuch label is in a leading position with relation to the direction oftravel of the article and the unattached portion thereof is in atrailing position with relation to such direction of travel, and asucceeding labeling means for rotating said article to complete theapplication of the label thereto.

31. In a labeling machine, means for carrying an article while at restthereon to a plurality of labeling means, air controlled labeling meansat one point in the travel of such article for applying to such article,While in an at rest position on said carrying means, a portion of anadhesively coated label so that the attached portion thereof is in aleading position with relation to the direction of travel of the articleand the unattached portion thereof is in a trailing position withrelation to such direction of travel, and labeling means at a succeedingpoint in the travel of such article for completing the application ofthe label by a rotational movement of the article.

32. In a labeling machine, means for carrying an article while at restthereon to a plurality of labeling means, air controlled means forapplying to such article, while in an at rest position on said carryingmeans, a portion of an adhesively coated label so that the attachedportion of such label is in a leading position with relation to thedirection of travel of the article and the unattached portion thereof isin a trailing position with relation to such direction of travel, and asucceeding labeling means including pressure means for completing theapplication of the label by a rotational movement of the article andwith the exercise of pressure.

33'. A machine for applying adhesive labels to cylindrical objectscomprising means for feeding the objects, receiving means for receivingthe objects consecutively one at a time from said means said receivingmeans being constructed and arranged to sustain an object during itstravel from said feeding means to a label applyin'g station andincluding means for maintaining the ob feet in an at rest position withrespect to said receiving means in such travel to the label applyingstation, means at the label applying station for adhesively applying anadhesive coated label loan object on the receiving means at one part ofits length while such object is sustained by said receiving means in (inat rest position by said maintaining means, means providing a planesurface, and means for rolling the object 017 the receiving meansagainst the tendency of said maintaining means to hold it in positionthereon and along the said plane surface thereby to roll the label onthe object and apply it firmly thereto.

34. A machine for applying adhesive labels to cylindrical objectscomprising means for feeding the objects,

a movable rest which receives the objects one at a time from saidfeeding means, means associated with said movable rest, said movablerest and said associated means being constructed and arranged andcoacting to sustain an object in an at rest condition with respect tosuch rest during its travel from said feeding means to the point oflabel application, a label applying device operatively associated withsaid rest by which an adhesive coated label is adhesivelyapplied to theobject on the rest at one part of the length of the label and while theobject is sustained in an at rest' condition by the coaction of saidrest and associated means, means providing a plane surface, and anendless conveyor belt spaced from and parallel to the plane surface, thesaid rest after application of the label to the object thereon beingmoved to bring the object into contact with the endless conveyor whichrolls the object ofi the rest against the tendency of said maintainingmeans to retain it thereon and along the plane surface.

35. A machine for applying adhesive labels to substantially cylindricalarticles, said machine having a label applying station, means at saidstation for moving a label into adhesive contact with an article at thestation, a conveyor for sustaining successive articles through asubstantial distance and to and beyond the label applying station, meanson said conveyor for maintaining the articles sustained thereby in an atrest condition with respect to the conveyor in their travel to andbeyond the label applying station, means operable to cause said conveyorto come to rest at said label applying station, whereby during theattachment of the label at such station the article is whollystationary, apparatus beyond the station movable in a direction to rolleach successive article that comes from said station in the direction oftravel of the articles through the machine, and a contact pad acrosswhich the article is rolled by said apparatus to secure the label firmlyto the article.

36. A machine for applying adhesive labels to substantially cylindricalarticles, said machine having a label applying station, means at saidstation for moving a label into adhesive contact with an article at thestation, a conveyor for sustaining successive articles through asubstantial distance and to and beyond the label applying station, meanson said conveyor for maintaining the articles sustained thereby in an atres condition with respect to the conveyor in their travel to and beyondthe label applying station, driving mechanism for said canveyor operableto cause said conveyor to come to rest at said label applying station,whereby during the attaclu ment of the label at such station the articleis wholly stationary, an. endless belt beyond the station movable in adirection to roll each successive article that comes from said stationin the direction of travel of the articles through the machine, acontact pad across which the article is rolled by said endless belt tosecure the label firmly to the article, and spring means maintaining ayielding pressure of the articles against said endless belt as they arerolled by the latter along said contact pad.

37. A labeling machine comprising a conveyor for holding articles thatare to be labeled in spaced relation thereon, a label applying stationwith means for moving a label into contact with an article on theconveyor, intermittent motion driving mechanism for the conveyor withmeans for stopping the conveyor for a limited period as each articlereaches the attaching station, an endless belt beyond the stationmovable in a direction to roll each successive article that comes fromsaid station in the direction of travel of the articles through themachine, a contact pad across which the article is rolled by saidendless belt to secure the label to the article, and means for drivingthe endless belt continuously during the intermittent movements of saidconveyor.

38. A labeling machine comprising a conveyor for holding articles thatare to be labeled in spaced relation thereon, a label applying stationwith means for moving a label into contact with an article on theconveyor, an element having a plane surface at one side of theconveyorbeginning at a location beyond the label attaching station andextending along a portion of the path of travel of the articles beyondthe label applying station, an endless belt having a run extending inspaced, generally parallel relation to the plane surface of said elementand movable in a direction to roll each successive article that comesfrom said station along the plane surface of said element, said elementat its entry and having an inclined surface that extends to the planesurface thereof from a point spaced further from the rim of said beltthan the plane surface thereof and with which the articles initiallyengage in their passage between said element and belt run, and saidelement having springs that hold the articles against such belt run witha yielding force as they roll along the plane surface of said element.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Data 1,078,723 Dodge Nov. 18, 19131,315,737 Milmoe Sept. 9, 1919 1,404,068 Swift Jan. 17, 1922 1,510,091Lakey et al Sept. 30, 1924 1,882,659 Aldrich et a1. Oct. 18, 19321,969,660 McLaurin Aug. 7, 1934 2,213,704 Hesson Sept. 3, 1940 2,344,185Tuthill Mar. 14, 1944 2,424,540 Bogoslowsky July 29, 1947 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 648,169 Germany Dec. 15, 1937

